Abstract

Background

Few studies have investigated both the self-perceived and measured environment with
objectively determined physical activity in older adults. Accordingly, the aim of
this study was to examine measured and perceived environmental associations with physical
activity of older adults residing across different neighborhood types.

Methods

One-hundred and forty-eight older individuals, mean age 64.3 ± 8.4, were randomly
recruited from one of four neighborhoods that were pre-determined as either having
high- or low walkable characteristics. Individual residences were geocoded and 200
m network buffers established. Both objective environment audit, and self-perceived
environmental measures were collected, in conjunction with accelerometer derived physical
activity behavior. Using both perceived and objective environment data, analysis consisted
of a macro-level comparison of physical activity levels across neighborhood, and a
micro-level analysis of individual environmental predictors of physical activity levels.

Conclusions

Older adult residents who live in high-walkable neighborhoods, who have easy and close
access to nonresidential destinations, have lower social dysfunction pertinent to
crime, and generally perceive the neighborhood to a higher overall satisfaction are
likely to engage in higher levels of physical activity behavior. Efforts aimed at
promoting more walkable neighborhoods could influence activity levels in older adults.